TRUSTING IN GOD’S MERCY

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,  Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

“How long?…How long?…How long?….How long?….” Verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 13 paint a picture of discouragement and potential defeat as David poured his heart out before the Lord, yet there is a turning point in verse 5 as he declared “But I have trusted in Your mercy.”

At this point in his journey, David learned that in every life situation, even the most difficult times, he could trust in God’s mercy. Even though he was being tracked and persecuted by King Saul and his armies, David trusted in God’s mercy. When his life was in danger, causing him to spend long, dark nights in hiding, he trusted in God’s mercy. Because God forgave his horrendous sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, He trusted in God’s mercy. His own beloved son Absalom rose up against him, plotting to take over the kingdom and still David chose to trust in God’s mercy. If we study every event in David’s life, we will get a clear picture of why, as he poured out his heart to the Lord in despair in Psalm 13, he chose to declare “But I have trusted in Your mercy.” (verse 5) He realized that it was only God’s mercy that pulled him through his circumstances.

So…remembering how bountifully God had dealt with him produced a response in David, even as he was crying out to God. His response? He chose to rejoice in God’s salvation and to sing praises to Him. Wait…maybe I don’t understand this Psalm… David is lamenting that God is silent, is distant, and wonders if he’s been forgotten. He fears the enemy will overtake him. Maybe I don’t get it. In this very situation David chose to rejoice and sing to God?…to keep trusting in His mercy? How could he do that?? Ahh…David looked back and remembered God’s mercy and His goodness towards him in every situation in the past. That gave him peace in the present and hope for the future. He knew he could trust God’s mercy…ALWAYS!

 So I look at my own life: There are times when I don’t like or understand the situation; when I can’t see because of the darkness; when pain, like a belligerent intruder, won’t budge. At times the long-awaited answer doesn’t come, and occasions when the answer isn’t the one I had expected. Like David, there are times when I have more questions than answers, and I wonder if God is even working on my case. There are times when I also ask “How long?…”

How do I respond in those situations? Like David? As I cry out to God, I want to remember how good God has been to me in the past, in spite of my present circumstances. I can clearly see how God has shown me His goodness and mercy, often unexpectedly and undeservedly. It was only His mercy that brought me through. So today I want to respond by choosing to trust in His mercy for my actual, present situation. The turning point comes in my life, too, when I chose to trust in God’s mercy and I declare with David: 

“But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.  

I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13:5,6)

                                                                                               

 

IT’S NOT THE WAFFLE IRON AND IT’S NOT THE IRISES

Mom's Waffle Iron Still Makes Scrumptious Waffles!

This past week we enjoyed some yummy waffles I made with my Mom’s now-antique waffle iron. I nostalgically recalled the many times she made the best waffles with it. I’m fortunate to have that same waffle iron now.

Each time I marveled at the beauty of the huge irises outside my front door a few weeks ago, I remembered how much my Dad loved gardening. These same plants were his: planted and cared for, along with dozens of other varieties of flowers and plants. I’m fortunate to have his irises and other plants in my flower beds now.

Three years ago, both Mom and Dad both passed away. They were 95 and 94 years young. They left other things for me, too: the silverware set he bought her a few days before their wedding in February, 1938 is one of my treasures. I also have Mom’s ancient Betty Crocker Cookbook, yellowed with age and full of her notes, drips, smudges and fingerprints. Dad also had a very extensive arrowhead collection that we siblings divided among ourselves, and my share is dear to me. The list could go on and on.

Thinking of the things they left me, I became increasingly aware that what really matters, and that I’m truly privileged to have is NOT the waffle iron, the silverware set, the irises, the arrowheads or anything else that was theirs. The “stuff” they left behind was just that. It was “stuff”. One day I’ll leave it behind, too.

Dad's Irises in My Front Flower Bed

What I value most cannot be held in my hands. I treasure it in my heart. I value their love for God and commitment to the Truth of His Word. I value their integrity, hard work and thankful outlook that they taught us by example. I value their lives of service, generosity and love they had for their neighbor – next door, or in another continent. I value the love they had for reading and learning, even till their last days. I value their commitment to each other; after 69+ years of marriage, and well into their 90’s, Dad still gave her chocolates on Valentine’s Day. This list could go on and on, too.

No, it’s not the waffle iron, and it’s not the irises. It’s who they were that – by God’s grace – helped make me who I am today. I thank God for having chosen the parents He chose for me, and now that they are gone, for showing me what’s really important to leave behind.

JESUS ALWAYS HAS THE LAST WORD

When He lived on this earth, Jesus always had the last word. In fulfillment of his mission, (Isaiah 61:1-3) He healed the sick and brokenhearted; He set spiritual captives free, comforted all who mourned, gave beauty for ashes. Whatever the situation, He always had the last word, and we can praise God for His words of grace, compassion, healing, life, forgiveness and restoration. Here are a few of many examples:

WORDS OF HEALING: To the man with the withered hand He said: “Stretch out your hand.” (Matthew 12:13).The man was made whole!

WORDS OF GRACE: To the Centurion who pleaded with him to heal his servant who was “paralyzed, dreadfully tormented, Jesus said: “Go your way, and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” (Matthew 8:6,13)

WORDS OF LIFE: To the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue He commanded: “Little girl I say to you, arise”. The little girl immediately arose and walked. (Mark 5:35-43)

WORDS FORGIVENESS: He assured the woman caught in adultery, about to be stoned by the self-righteous religious leaders that He would not condemn her, adding “Go, and sin no more”. (John 8:11)

WORDS OF RESTORATION: After healing blind Bartimaeus, He sent him on his way, restored! “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Mark 10:52)

WORDS OF AUTHORITY OVER DEATH: Standing before the tomb of His friend Lazarus, who was dead for four days he called out: “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43,44) Death lost its power!

WORDS OF SALVATION: On the cross, having paid the price for our sins with His perfect, sinless life, “He said, ‘It is finished’ and bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30) There is nothing we can add to His perfect work of salvation. He had the last word.

TODAY: What about us? Whatever situation we find ourselves in, Jesus wants to have the last word. I’ve found it a fact that I can turn to His words and find sufficient grace for my trials, compassion and healing for my pain, forgiveness and restoration when I seek it, and life in times when it seems all hope is gone. He wants us to take the time to read and listen to His everlasting, unchanging, true words, and trust in Him. PRAISE GOD! He always has the last word!

THE FATHER’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

 2^ND Samuel chapters 13-19

Thinking of fathers throughout history, we can learn from their lives. King David as a father is an example of unconditional love towards a rebellious son.  One of the consequences of David’s shameful sin with Bathseba was that God would raise up adversity against him from his own house. (2 Sam. 12:11). Being warned that someone from his own family would turn against him, that severe adversity came through his son, Absalom. 

Absalom grew to be a cunning, vengeful man. Because of his evil lifestyle, David “wept very bitterly” (13:36) and “he mourned for his son every day…” (13:39). Finally after several years, they were reconciled. Absalom “bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom”. (14:33). It seemed to be the end of a long, dreadful chapter, but the seeds of hate and bitterness below the surface of Absalom’s heart were about to bring even more anguish to David.

Absalom was working behind the scenes, scheming another plot. This time he “stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” We know that Absalom had a plan, but he wasn’t going to rush into it. He waited another forty years before he got enough followers to rise up against his Father, the king, and attempt to overtake the throne. He enlisted conspirators and spies to join him in the uprising. His followers increased. (15:12) Realizing that Absalom was after him, David and all of his followers fled from Jerusalem to the wilderness. David wept as he left; some of his trusted friends turned against him. During the time of this upheaval, David wrote Psalm 3 in which he laments, confesses his trust in God, commits to continued trust, and keeps crying out to God.

David, having his troops organized for the battle against his own son, did the unthinkable: within earshot of all the people, he commanded his military leaders to “deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” Confusion must have overtaken them all: deal gently with the enemy?…deal gently with the sinister being who wants to overthrow your throne?…deal gently with the person who is plotting your death?…what are we fighting for?…deal gently…what are you thinking???

Despite David’s request for mercy on his rebellious son, God, who is always  in control, executed His perfect judgment on Absalom, allowing his hair to get tangled in a tree, leaving him hanging as his mule continued on. David’s warriors then killed and buried Absalom.

How did David react in all of this national turmoil, rebellion and wicked scheming by his own son? When word reached David that he had been delivered from: “the men who raised their hand against my lord the king” (18:28), David’s first reaction was: “Is the young man Absalom safe?” (18:29) The second messenger brought news of the victory, and again David inquired: “Is the young man Absalom safe?” (18:32) We see the deep love that David had for his rebellious son who intended such evil against him. Realizing that Absalom had died, David was very, very deeply sorrowed, and “went up to the chamber over the gate and wept…o my son Absalom – my son, my son Absalom – if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son.” (18:33) Setting aside the fact that David was king of Israel, and seeing him in his role as father, we see how deeply he loved his son Absalom in spite of a lifetime of scheming rebellion. That father love was evident although the son didn’t realize it, and didn’t even care that he was causing his father unspeakable distress and pain.

There is a strong parallel between this story of David’s love for his son and God’s love for us. I’m reminded of how much God the Father loves each one of us His children, even though we turn from Him, cause Him pain and rebel against Him. David himself often wrote about God’s mercy and everlasting love. Perhaps David understood that love because he experienced it, and that’s what motivated him to love Absalom to the end.

God doesn’t give up on us. He loves us, and will love us “to the end”. God’s love doesn’t hinge on what we do or don’t do. It is rooted in the very nature of His love, which is unconditional and unchangeable! He will always love His children!

How do these truths affect my life? They give me a greater appreciation for His everlasting love to me, while also showing me that I must love others the way He loves me: unconditionally. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God…In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another.” (1^st John 4:7,10)…Yes, my Father God loved me first, He loves me no matter what, and I can live with the assurance that He always will love me! THAT’S the Father’s unconditional love!

The Symbiosis of Trust and Praise

At www.Merriam-Webster.com we can read the following definition of symbiosis:

1 : the living together in more or less intimate association or close union of two dissimilar organisms (as in parasitism or commensalism); especially : mutualism
2 : a cooperative relationship (as between two persons or groups) <the symbiosis…between the resident population and the immigrants — John Geipel>

— sym·bi·ot·ic \-ˈä-tik\ adjective

— sym·bi·ot·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb  

 I am not a biologist. But when I think about trust and praise, I’m reminded of a symbiotic relationship. They live “together in more or less intimate association or close union.” Can we separate trust and praise? I think not.

I praise God because He is who He said He is, and who He showed Himself to be throughout all of history, and in my own life!
I trust in God because He is who He said He is, and who He showed Himself to be throughout all of history, and in my own life!
I cannot fully trust Him without praising Him. I cannot sincerely praise Him without trusting in Him.

Praise is an expression of trust. Trust is an expression of praise.

In the measure that we learn more of God, and see how He works, we trust Him more fully and praise Him more sincerely. Praising Him for who He is – the faithful, compassionate, holy merciful, eternal, unchanging, forgiving, all-wise God, we realize He is trustworthy! Then, as we trust Him, we learn even more of Him, and praise Him more!

“But You are holy, enthroned in the PRAISES of Israel. Our fathers TRUSTED in You; they TRUSTED, and You delivered them.” (Psalm 22:3,4)

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I WILL TRUST; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be PRAISED.” (Psalm 18:1-3)

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart TRUSTED in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I WILL PRAISE HIM.” (Psalm 28:7)

The psalmist may or may not have understood the biological definition of symbiosis, but he had a very clear understanding of the symbiotic relationship of trust and praise! I say AMEN to his convictions. How about you?

FOCUS

Several years ago, while visiting a dear aunt and uncle who were very elderly, my sister Carole and I were enjoying some of the thousands of old pictures Uncle Ted had taken throughout his lifetime. (He always had at least one camara hanging around his neck!) Holding up one ancient, age-yellowed picture, I asked: “Aunt Anna, who’s in this picture?” Wrong question to ask anyone from across the room, and even more wrong when that person is elderly and has failing eyesight! I’ll always remember her quick reply: “I can’t even see you. How do you expect me to know who’s in the picture?” Aunt Anna’s eyes had lost their ability to focus.

Sometimes our hearts lose their focus, too. We lose sight of God. It’s hard to distinguish what’s important and what’s not. We become frustrated because we are disoriented. What would happen if we would make an effort to focus on Jesus, the “author and finisher of our faith”? (Hebrews 12:2) Here’s the challenge I’m laying out for myself, to get back my focus….

FOCUS – Not on my circumstances. If they are good, I’m in danger of forgetting God; if they are bad, I could turn away from Him. (Proverbs 30:7-9) I’ll focus on God, who allows my circumstances!

FOCUS – Not on my problems or pain. They can discourage me. I’ll focus on the Healer instead! (Isaiah 61:1)

FOCUS – Not on the answer I desperately want when I pray. It can sidetrack me. I’ll focus on the One who hears and answers my prayers. (Psalm 34:17)

FOCUS – Not on my possessions, or lack of them. They can easily become idols. I’ll focus on God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. (1^st Timothy 6:17)

FOCUS – Not on others. They can change and let me down. I’ll focus on my unchanging, faithful God! (Psalm 118:5)

FOCUS – Not on myself, my weaknesses or failures. That can discourage me! I’ll focus instead on God, whose strength is perfected when I am weak! ((2^nd Corinthians 12:9)

FOCUS – Not on the past. That can make me stagnant. I’ll focus on God, who promised to do something new! (Isaiah 43:19)

FOCUS – Not on the future. Worry can overtake me. I’ll focus on my Heavenly Father, who knows all my needs, and provides for them! (Matthew 6:25-34)

FOCUS – Not on trying to be good enough to earn my way to heaven. My best efforts will not suffice. I’ll focus on God, who gave me the gift of salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-10)

One day, my eyesight may fail, and like Aunt Anna, I won’t recognize who’s sitting across my living room. I pray that even then, my heart would be focused on God. I praise God because I know that when these physical eyes close for the very last time they will open in His presence – totally focused on HIM, face to face!

HAS GOD CHANGED?

In the past few days, I heard of very difficult situations some friends and family are facing: serious medical issues, rebellious children, an elderly mother’s dementia, a marriage that is going through extremely trying times, a mom concerned about her adult children’s bad choices, a friend caring for her mom who is undergoing treatment for cancer, and the list goes on…and on…and on…

I’m reminded of what God told Moses at the burning bush, when His chosen people were suffering under Egyptian bondage. He said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people…I have heard their cry…I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them…and to bring them up to a good and large land…” (Exodus 3:7-10). God saw. God heard their cry. God knew their sorrows, and came down to deliver them. The prophet Isaiah confirmed that by writing: “In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9)

Has God changed? ABSOLUTELY NOT! He is the very same God! We can look at it this way:

• If He was afflicted in all the affliction of His people thousands of years ago, He’s afflicted in all of our afflictions, too!

• If He redeemed them in His love and Mercy, His renewed compassion redeems us, too!

• If He bore them and carried them all of their days, then He can carry us every day, too!

• If He heard their groaning and every time they cried out to Him, He hears us every time we cry out to Him, too!

• If he saw their oppression, He is very much aware of our situation, too!

• If He knew their sorrows and came down to deliver them, He will come down to deliver us, too!

God assures us through the prophet Malachi that “I am the Lord, I do not change.” (Mal. 3:6) His compassions never change! His faithfulness never changes! His promises never change! His love for us never changes! His strength does not change! Praise God, we can trust in Him today, and know that we can trust Him tomorrow, too, because….

GOD HAS NOT CHANGED!

FACING A VERY BUSY DAY

A very busy day at work!

Returning to work on a Tuesday after a three-day weekend always means extra work. This time it was even more complicated because I took vacation time Thursday afternoon and all day Friday prior to the long weekend. I was facing a very busy day on Tuesday! Knowing what awaited me that day, as I spent time reading the Bible and in prayer, my frustration disappeared. Here is what I prayed:

Help me, Lord, in my “busyness” today:

• Not to be stressed when I see how much there is to do.
• To prioritize my tasks. Everything seems to be urgent. Help me to do the most important first.
• To be kind. I have a tendency to be serious and grumpy when I’m overwhelmed with work.
• To be wide awake, always watchful and well aware of the tactics the enemy uses to distract me, frustrate me, interrupt me.
• To be wise: what I say, who I say it to, how I say it… (You promised wisdom!)
• Not to be so concentrated only on myself and my agenda that I don’t see other’s needs.
• To be thankful in all things!

Then I was reminded of Philippians 4:13, and thought:

DO I HAVE ANY REASON to think that I’ll be overwhelmed by work today? That it will be too much to handle? NO!! “I can do ALL things…”

DO I HAVE ANY REASON to think I have to do this alone? NO!! “….through Christ…”

DO I HAVE ANY REASON to think I have to work with only my strength? NO!!! “…who strengthens me.”

SO HOW DO I FACE THIS BUSY DAY? With a commitment to bless the Lord, just as David did in Psalm 34:1: “I will bless the Lord at all times (even in my “busyness”!) His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (words that honor Him!)

Today is Thursday. I didn’t get caught up yet, and that’s OK. The most important things are being taken care of, and getting the right mindset helps… when I’m facing a very busy day!